Aisha Wahab is a community leader fighting for solutions to put the American dream within our reach. When she won her seat on Hayward City Council in 2018, Aisha made national headlines as the first Afghan-American woman elected to public office in the United States. As Mayor Pro Tempore & City Council Member of Hayward, Aisha has implemented policies that reduce economic inequality, expand homeownership opportunities, support small businesses, and strengthen safety nets for renters, workers, and foster youth. For Aisha, working to establish and improve these programs is personal. Before she could tie her own shoes, Aisha was placed in foster care after her father was brutally murdered and her mother died at an early age. Her experiences inform her understanding of the struggles many silently face. Aisha was fortunate to be adopted by a young, self-employed couple in the Bay Area who taught her the values of hard work, perseverance, and pride in their American identity. Like so many Bay Area residents, Aisha and her family have struggled with the cost of living. In 2011, her family home was foreclosed on, her parents lost their business, her father’s health began to deteriorate, and Aisha was laid off from her job. After being priced out of Fremont, Aisha and her family moved to Hayward where she began to attend council meetings and advocate for affordable housing. Aisha ran for Hayward City Council to amplify the voices of renters and build a community that everyone can afford to call home. She was proud to earn the greatest number of votes for the city council in 2018. She continues to work as an advocate and organizer for seniors, women, and children. Aisha is dedicated to addressing issues including housing affordability, civic engagement, education, and economic inequality. Prior to her career in public service, Aisha worked at non-profits, community organizing, and technology. Aisha previously served as the Chair of the Alameda County Human Relations Commission and a Board Member for the nonprofits Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers. She has also served as an Alameda County Public Health Commissioner and an organizer and speaker at the Bay Area Women’s March. In 2013, she was selected to join the White House Roundtable of Afghan-American Leaders.